200 stage march to save recycle centre

A 200-strong protest march took to the streets of Shaw in the continuing fight to save Beal Hey Recycling Centre

AROUND 200 people took to the streets in the fight to save Beal Hey Recycling Centre in Shaw.

They marched through the town centre to the Chandos Street site yesterday, one of six threatened with closure in the region.

More than 3,000 people have also signed a petition demanding that Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) keep it open.

Councillor Mark Alcock launched the campaign and said: “People from the whole of Saddleworth, from Rochdale, Shaw, Crompton and Royton come to this site.

“We reckon there’s over 6,000 people use Beal Hey. They shouldn’t be closing it, they should be expanding it. It’s ridiculous.”

The borough’s nearest alternative facility is Arkwright Street, Chadderton.

Councillor Alcock said that Oldham’s recycling rate from rubbish collections had increased from 15 per cent to 40 per cent and added: “That does not include household waste recycling centres. A lot of people walk to this site with their rubbish for recycling. If this isn’t here people will put that into their grey bin and it will go into landfill.

“We could also end up with more fly-tipping and it’s the council which picks up the cost of that.

“We already spend over £100,000-a-year cleaning up fly-tipping.”

Officers from GMWDA will attend the Shaw and Crompton Parish Council meeting at St Paul’s Church, Rochdale Road, Shaw, a week today. As many people as possible are being urged to attend.

Protesters will also lobby outside Oldham civic centre on March 18 where GMWDA will make its decision on Beal Hey in a meeting which starts at 11am.

A series of refurbishments were made at Beal Hey last year, including clearer traffic signals and CCTV, as part of a £631 million programme to improve recycling facilities across Greater Manchester.

The team which runs the site was nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award in 2005.

Chris and Margaret Stephens, from Shaw, use the centre regularly to dispose of garden waste.

He said: “It is a good tip. It’s always kept very clean and the staff are very helpful.”

Brian Karran (73), from High Crompton, added: “This is a very good facility which the town requires. Just because it is a small facility, it should not be closed. In fact, they should expand it or be looking for a bigger site.”

The online petition is at www.SaveBealHey.org.uk